CBI starts probing Rajasthan land deals including Robert Vadra-linked firm

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today started its investigations in the 18 alleged illegal land deals in Rajasthan. The cases were transferred to the CBI by the Rajasthan government. The alleged illegal land deals had occurred in Bikaner and one of these deals involved a firm that was linked to Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi. A CBI official said that the agency has re-registered 18 FIRs, all of which are related to the alleged illegal land deals. Earlier, the cases were being probed by Rajasthan police. Providing the details, a CBI spokesperson said, “The cases pertain to fraudulent and fictitious claims and allotments in lieu of land acquired for Mahajan Field Firing Range Bikaner, which is used by the Army.”

Meanwhile, the Congress has accused the state government, saying that the CBI is being used for political gains ahead of the assembly elections in the state. However, the state government has dismissed such claims made by Congress. The state government said that total illegal land dealings involved around 1,400 bigha land. All of these were purchased using fake names and addresses. 4 of the FIRs are against a firm linked to Vadra and its contribution to the illegal land deals is 275 bigha.